Career Changes

I don’t know what it is about this year, 2011, but many of us are making HUGE changes in our lives.  This is apparently the year to get it done and do what you’ve been wanting to do.

The year to be happy.

The year to be satisfied.

The year to be fulfilled.

The year to be who we want to be.

I started this blog just over two years ago as a way document my recipes, my new healthier lifestyle, and my journey into running.

A lot has changed in two years and this blog is still growing and constantly evolving. For that I am grateful!  One thing that has stayed the same is my commitment to health and wellness.

I believe that leading a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean tasteless cardboard food and hours logged on a treadmill.  Instead it means gorgeous meals and plenty of fresh air.

Wellness embraces your whole life. I want people to not only be happy with their food choices but to be happy in life. It might sound hippy-drippy but I truly mean it.

I love my blog and I love being able to talk about food and wellness. What was a hobby has turned into passion and dedication.

To be clear, I’m not saying I am going to become a full-time blogger making money from my blog.

What I want is to take my beliefs and my passion to another level.  I want to not only be an example but to do more.   I want to build a career around food and wellness, helping others to achieve that balance in their lives.

Is it possible?

This box is about to change my whole life.

About halfway through last year, I learned that one could get a professional degree as a wellness coach.

What?!

I can be certified and have an official degree in health and wellness?! I am all over this!

I started researching like crazy because this sounded a little too good to be true.  I thought, “You mean I can have a degree on the very lifestyle  I promote and encourage on my blog?!”

When I realized that I could turn my passion into a career, I was sold.  I researched some more and explored all my options.  I talked it over with Scott.  I talked it over with friends to get their opinions on the matter. Everyone I talked to felt this was a natural fit for me.

I found the Institute for  Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and discovered that this is the best program out there.  I signed up for their newsletter, followed their Facebook page, and attended some webinars.

After my first webinar I was sold. I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do and this was the program that was going to help me achieve that goal.

I’m currently enrolled in the program and that red box contains all of my textbooks and learning materials.

I feel like I was made for IIN.  I realize this might sound ridiculous but my own approach to wellness, food, and diet is perfectly matched with their program.  The core belief of IIN is that everyone is different.  No diet or lifestyle will work for everyone.  What works for me probably will not work for you.

Saying, “Everyone can do this if they just….”

No. Life doesn’t work that way. Different people respond to foods in different ways. We should respect that and acknowledge it, instead of trying to force everyone into the same diet.


What Wellness Coaching Means

Being a wellness coach means taking into account all aspects of one’s life and finding out what works for them and what does not.  How does your body respond when you eat this? Or when you don’t exercise? Or only get 5 hours of sleep? It’s all encompassing and this is exactly what I believe. Everything in your life is interconnected and related in some way.  Jobs, relationships, living arrangements, and friends, just for example, can all effect our life balance.

Being a Wellness Coach will allow me to help others achieve a calming balance in their lives and help guide them to a nutrition path that works for them.

Classes

I just started classes this week and let me tell you that it’s intense.  Everything is done online and there is so much information! We have classes and then they are additional classes that we are supposed to explore and take as well.  So much to learn!

I’ve very excited about it because I’m learning things I didn’t know before along with a deeper understanding of things I thought I knew.  There’s a lot of work ahead of me and this year will be pretty insane with classes and building a new business.

I’m still working on figuring out a schedule and getting things in order. Don’t worry I’ll still be blogging away! But don’t be surprised if a post isn’t up everyday. It might be every other day or so.

I’ve already made some connections through the program including several others here in Ohio! Hooray!

I hope that you will all follow along and support me down this new career path! I’m really excited to share this opportunity with you!

26 thoughts on “Career Changes

  1. Congratulations!! Change isn’t easy – but with passion, dedication, and drive you can do anything. I am really proud of you!! I am in the midst of a career change as well…exciting and scary at the same time. :) Good luck!

  2. Molly Borchers says:

    That’s awesome, Andrea! I have actually considered going through the INN program as well. You’ll have to let me know how you like it. Congratulations!

  3. Congratulations Andrea!! This is the perfect fit for you!!

    I have been considering other career moves as well. Now that my kids are getting older, it will be time for me to go back to work, but I am not interested in returning the property management. I am looking for more flexibility and the ability to be with my family when I want to.

    I am so proud of you!

  4. Wow. I am SO EXCITED FOR YOU! YAY!!!! You’re going to do awesome. I just started my ABSN program at UNC this week. And…Guess what? I actually decided to start blogging again. I read over my archives and really enjoyed having them so I decided it was worth doing. Plus, I’m sure this next 16 months will go by so fast! Good Luck on your new journey- I couldn’t be more excited for you :-D

  5. WooHoo! That’s awesome Andrea. I look forward to following you on your new journey.
    I did Motivational Interviewing Coaching for about 4 years and it’s so rewarding. You’ll be great.

  6. SUPER excited for you Andrea! This sounds like such an absolutely fantastic fit for you (and SUPER cool to boot!) Can’t wait to see how everything progresses – it’s going to be awesome I’m sure!

  7. Heidi says:

    I agree that 2011 is the year to get things done. I’m so happy for you. This sounds like a perfect fit for you. You obviously have a passion for this and I can’t wait to follow along on your journey. :)

  8. OMG! I am so excited for you! I talked to someone about starting the program too but decided with Anna it is just too much right now! I am dying to hear what you think about it and how it is going! Let’s meet next week. For real this time.
    :)

  9. I’m so excited for you, Andrea, and can’t wait to hear about all your experiences. Despite my degrees in mainstream nutrition, I’ve considered IIN more than once to broaden my horizons. Especially considering I rarely even practice much of the things I learned in college.

    And you are right! This seems to be a life changing year for many. Everyone seems to be taking the bull by the horns. Congrats to you!

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